LomoAmigos Bauchklang - Vocalists Shoot From The Hip

Austrian vocal acrobats Bauchklang ("gut-tone") have already received international accolades for their unique genre-crossing sound, created without using any instruments other than their voices. At their latest tour through India they sported some Lomographic Tools...

Andreas Fraenzl: Lead Vocals / Sounds

Alexander Böck: Bass

Gerald Huber: Human Beatbox / Sounds

Bina: Mouthpercussion / Human Beatbox / Sounds

Philipp Sageder: Sounds / Backing Vocals

Mathias Schweger: Bandmanager

Austrian vocal acrobats Bauchklang (“gut-tone”) have already received international accolades for their unique genre-crossing sound, created without using any instruments other than their voices. Which makes Bauchklang the epitome of a live band, and an unforgettable experience for audiences after they overcame the initial surprise. Their stunning mix of Electro, Dub, and Hip Hop earned Bauchklang two “Amadeus Awards” (the alpine version of a Grammy) at home, and travelled well abroad.
What started in January 2008 with the first live appearance of an Austrian band in Inada that was completely unknown and in a newly opened club in Mumbai, just a year later culminated in three sold out nights at what had become India’s premiere live-venue: Bauchklang live at the Bluefrog Club.

All along the way the Band sported 4 fantastic Lomographic cameras, a Lubitel 166+, the famous LC-A+, a Colorsplash Camera and a Fisheye II . The pure energy of their vibrant, versatile sound can also be found in the images they brought home from their tour in India.

Lomography at Bauchklangs Jour Fixe

Together with Bandmanager Matthias Schweger, who also enjoyed testing Lomography tools, Bauchklang and Lomography inspected the photographic evidence of their Lomo-Shootings and had the opportunity to ask some obvious questions. Only Gerald Huber (Human Beatbox / Sounds) couldn´t be there in person but the Lubitel images he took speak for themselves!

How long have you been Lomographers? How did you get into it?
I had my first Lomo about ten years ago. One day I lost it. Lately Lomography got me back into analogue Photography by making us Amigos. (Andreas Fraenzl)

Is there a common ground for Lomography and Bauchklang?
I think it´s an enrichment for the band. Analog Photography fits our analog approach to music. The blurry picture world has it´s very own, unique graphic quality. Different than digital images – they have charisma, that´s their biggest quality (Andreas Fraenzl)

Where did you take your Lomos?
Since July the cameras have travelled far. We took them on our 5 city tour of india and afterwards used them at concerts in Austria and Slovenia.

Did you experience something special when you were snapshooting in India?
Many people asked what that weird thing was. “What is it for? Why do you have it? It´s Analog?” They sell film a lot cheaper in India than in Europe – still everyone is hooked on digital Photography. (Andreas Fraenzl)

In some regions the women didn´t want to be photographed. Some literally ran off, even when you asked if it was ok to take a picture. (Philipp Sageder)
– I didn´t really have that problem… (Andreas Fraenzl)

It´s strange that you can´t show people the images you have taken right away. But then you explain the camera, show off the analog device and see amazed faces. (Alex Boeck)

Did you follow the 10 golden Rules?
Rules? We admit to not even have read them.

Who did use which camera?
We shared all cameras. The Colorsplash worked a circuit. Bina snatched the Lubitel, Philipp is most crazy for the Fisheye II at the moment and I´m testing the LC-A+. (Andreas Fraenzl)

What did you like best about Lomography?
That it´s so different to digital Photography. It´s exciting not to see the images right away. We all got hooked within a little wile. (Andreas Fraenzl)

The great thing about the Colorsplash Camera is that you can capture moments you ´d never be able to shoot with a digital or video camera.. Shoot from the hip and you’ve already taken the picture before the folks recognice that they’ve been photographed. In addition you get a lot of attention carrying the Colorsplash around. People just didn’t know what it is at first sight. A video camera? A water gun? (Matthias Schweger)

The extra fun when shooting is that I’ve now stopped using the viewfinder with the fisheye. You can get super close – that’s great (Philipp Sageder)

Your words of wisdom to other Lomographers out there?
I any case you should get the approval of a person you want to take a picture of. You might ask or at least give a questioning look. But maybe that´s too much bothering already!? (Alex Boeck)

You guys tested a Lubitel 166+, an LC-A+, a Colorsplash Camera and a Fisheye II – which one is your favourite?
Now that we finally see the images we must say the Lubitel pictures are the most impressing ones. Bina (who took most Lubitel images) already was an experienced Photographer when he first tried it and was really concerned with the Lubitel. He took it for many walks. (Alex Boeck)

Bauchklang first ever live-album, Live In Mumbai, features a selection of songs performed on these six nights, including the new track “Signs” – a first taste of the like-titled upcoming studio album – and guest appearances of gifted young Indian singer Shilpa Rao and prolific Indian percussionist Vivek Rajgopalan.

In celebration of the mindblowing solar eclipse we had the other day, we ran a competition and asked you to tag your analogue photos centered around our great big yellow friend! Check out the winners now!

In December last year James Wright, editor and creative director of So It Goes Magazine, went on a two-week trip to Sri Lanka, "a place so long on our bucket list, but up until then, as yet unvisited," he writes on the first of his three-part photo diary. Herein is the first of his series that chronicles his adventures, highlighted by a selection of breathtaking images of the Sri Lankan countryside and the locals, among many other images, captured with his trusty photographic companions: the Leica MP, Lomo LC-A+, and an assortment of films including the LomoChrome Purple.

Simeon Smith is a musician who recorded the sounds of our film cameras in action and made these samples available as a free download. We couldn't resist interviewing him about this project and taking a look at some of his photos. Meet the man behind the cams here.

Stephen Shore introduced to the 70s art world an unadorned image of American life. He captured littered restaurant tables as other photographers would immaculate vistas. For the opening of “American Surfaces”, he even taped unframed snapshots on gallery walls. In these videos, Shore talks about objects that have “no pretention to art” and the things he learned from Andy Warhol.

In my early adolescence, I liked to play table football. For my 12th birthday, my parents gifted me with a wonderful Subbuteo table soccer game set that I had wished for many months! This was my favorite toy until I discovered other interesting hobbies, like ham radio and electronics. So after some years, I gave away this game to other kids. I always remembered this game with pleasure and a hint of nostalgia.